Residents and traditional leaders of Dome in the Asante Mampong Municipality of the Ashanti Region have appealed to the Municipal Assembly and education authorities for urgent intervention over a growing sanitation crisis and deteriorating conditions at the community's public basic school.

The community is calling for the clearance of a long-standing refuse dump in the middle of the town, the construction of a modern public toilet facility, and improvements to infrastructure at Dome M/A Primary and Basic School, where pupils reportedly face inadequate furniture, damaged classroom floors, leaking roofs and a shortage of teachers.



The appeals were made by traditional leaders led by Dome Chief, Nana Osei Akoto II, and members of the School Management Committee (SMC), who say the challenges are affecting residents' health, sanitation and children's access to quality education.

Traditional leaders raise alarm over sanitation crisis

Speaking on behalf of the Dome Traditional Council and residents, Okyeame Kwabena Konadu said the community was struggling with a long-standing refuse dump that had grown beyond control and was posing serious environmental and public health concerns.

According to him, the accumulation of waste has created conditions favourable for mosquitoes, rodents and other disease-carrying organisms, raising concerns about malaria, cholera and respiratory illnesses, particularly among children.

He added that the stench from the dump and smoke from the occasional burning of refuse had made life increasingly uncomfortable for households living nearby.

“We really need urgent help,” the traditional leaders said in their appeal to the Asante Mampong Municipal Assembly, led by Municipal Chief Executive Hon. Yakubu Yussif.

The leaders are asking the Assembly to deploy heavy-duty equipment to evacuate the accumulated waste and completely clear the existing dumping site.

They also want Dome included in the Assembly's immediate development plans for a modern public toilet facility, preferably equipped with water-closet systems and supported by a sustainable management arrangement.

Okyeame Konadu warned that the absence of a decent public convenience could worsen the risk of open defecation and undermine efforts to improve sanitation across the municipality.

The traditional council said residents were prepared to cooperate with the Assembly by supporting community monitoring and making the necessary land available for the proposed toilet facility.

Dome M/A Basic School struggles with poor infrastructure

Beyond the sanitation concerns, the School Management Committee of Dome M/A Primary and Basic School has raised alarm over what it describes as serious infrastructure and staffing challenges affecting teaching and learning.

Mr Ali Salifu, chairman of the school's SMC, said pupils were dealing with damaged, cracked and potholed classroom floors, leaking roofs and an acute shortage of furniture.

According to him, the conditions have left some pupils sitting on bare floors or sharing overcrowded benches, raising concerns about their comfort, safety and ability to concentrate during lessons.

The committee also identified a shortage of teachers as a major challenge, linking it partly to the lack of adequate staff accommodation in the community.

Mr Ali Salifu and other committee members explained that newly posted or reassigned teachers faced difficulties accepting or sustaining their postings because of inadequate housing and limited basic amenities, including teachers' bungalows and electricity.

The SMC believes addressing these challenges would help attract and retain teachers while improving the overall learning environment for pupils.

The committee has consequently appealed to the Ashanti Regional Minister, the Asante Mampong Municipal Assembly, the Municipal Education Directorate and other relevant stakeholders to intervene and help improve conditions at the school.

Traditional leaders seek support for ICT laboratory

Efforts are also underway to improve access to information and communication technology education at Dome M/A Primary and Basic School.

The traditional leaders have begun putting up a structure intended to serve as a computer and ICT laboratory. However, they are seeking additional support to complete the facility and make it functional for pupils.

They have appealed to non-governmental organisations, philanthropists, individuals, the Municipal Assembly and education authorities to assist with the completion of the project.

The proposed laboratory is expected to provide pupils with better opportunities to develop basic computer skills and gain exposure to digital learning, although its completion will depend on the support secured.

The community's appeals place sanitation, school infrastructure, teacher accommodation and digital education among the immediate priorities requiring attention in Dome.

The traditional leaders and the School Management Committee are urging the relevant authorities and other development partners to work with the community to address the challenges and improve living and learning conditions for residents and schoolchildren.

OKBA